Wesley Corpus

I believe many were wounded, and some much comforted. Perhaps this town will not be quite so furious as it has been. In the evening we had abundance of genteel people at Manchester, while I described faith as “the evidence of things not seen.” I left Manchester in the morning, APRIL 1, in a better condition than ever I knew it before; such is the shaking, not only among the dry bones, but likewise among the living souls. About noon I preached at Little-Leigh and at Chester in the evening. Thursday, 2. I rode over to Tattenhall, eight or nine miles from Chester. When we came, the town seemed to be all in an uproar; yet when I began preaching, (in the open air, the House not being large enough to contain one quarter of the congregation,) none opposed, or made the least 50 REv. J. wesLEY’s [April, 1761. disturbance, the fear of God falling upon them. I think Tattenhall will be less bitter for the time to come. Well may Satan be angry with field-preaching ! Fri. 3.--I preached, about one, at Mould, in Flintshire, and was again obliged to preach abroad, though the wind was exceeding rough. All were deeply attentive. I preached in the evening at Chester, and in the morning set out for Liverpool: I came thither (preaching at Warrington by the way) in the evening. The election seemed to have driven the common sort of people out of their senses. But on Sunday they were tolerably recovered, and the town looked like itself. I heard two useful sermons at our parish church: One upon, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness;” the other on, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.” I pity those who “can learn nothing at church.” Mon. 13.--I left them at Liverpool, a little increased in number, but very considerably in strength; being now entirely united together in judgment, as well as in affection. About noon, I preached to a serious congregation at Downham-Green, near Wigan; but to a far more serious one in the evening, at Bolton. I find few places like this; all disputes are forgot; and the Christians do indeed love one another. When I visited the classes, on Wednesday, 15, I did not find a disorderly walker among them; no, nor a trifler. They appeared to be, one and all, seriously seeking salvation. Thur.